We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life. (Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, General Conference, April 2007.
This quote came from one of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise or sometimes called the Mormon church.
As Mormons, we believe in living prophets. Why? the children of God on earth (for example, see Amos 3:7 as found in the Old Testament).
Twice a year, the church gathers to hear from the current church leaders. We as Mormons call this gathering (it takes place over two days, with five general meetings) “General Conference.”
Oh, it is a stupendous time, with all kinds of counsel from leaders whose gentle voices admonish the general membership to live kind lives, full of Christ-like integrity and goodness.
We also hear wisdom from these individuals, such as the wisdom expressed by “>Bishop McMullin shared above. To read his talk in its entirety, feel free to click the link above. But here are just a few snippets of thoughts summarized from his teachings.
As Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, we are to take care of not just our own households, but we are to be ready to serve our brothers and sisters all throughout the world. If we do not take care of our own families, by providing in wise ways, how on earth can we then have the means to help serve others? It is this kind of wisdom you will hear if you choose to attend or listen online to the next General Conference.
We as Mormons believe in the literal coming of Christ. He who once came as a babe and in humble ways will one day return in full glory. As Bishop McMullin expresses, there will be consequences of penalties for those who refuse to repent from evil deeds and there will be rewards of joy for those who follow Christ’s ways. Thus, for those who seek to be kind and take on Christ’s name, there will be joyous moments ahead in the future. If we are prepared, we shall not fear during the times preceding His coming (see D&C 38:30).
Thus, Bishop McMullin shares several important points to prepare for Christ’s coming. We are to 1) Be faithful; 2) Unencumber our lives; 3) Lay up in store.
I know of the wisdom of these ways, for as a Mormon I have tried to live after Christ’s teachings. It is true – like Bishop McMullin stated, as we seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ, and to unencumber our lives from fruitless and even harmful things, and as we lay up in store providently for our families and others, there is a peace that enters in.
May we seek to love God with all our hearts and to serve our neighbors (and our own families) well. This is the path of the prepared soul – prepared so that when Christ comes, we will be found doing as He would if He had been here all along!
